Tiltable joystick pointing device

Abstract

The joystick assembly of the tiltable joystick pointing device comprises a first shaft which is pivotally supported by the base and urged by the first spring assembly into the upright neutral position, a second shaft slidably guided relative to the first shaft so as to be slidable in an axial direction, a second spring assembly for axially urging the second shaft toward an axially neutral position, and a slide direction detector for producing a slide direction signal corresponding to an axial movement of the second shaft. Thus, by holding the second shaft and tilting the first shaft via the second shaft, a corresponding tilt direction signal is produced from the tilt direction detector in a conventional manner. Additionally, by holding the second shaft and pushing down or pulling down the second shaft relative to the first shaft, a corresponding slide direction signal is produced from the slide direction detector. Thus, by holding the second shaft with a single hand, it is possible to produce both a tilt direction signal and a slide direction signal at will.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A tiltable joystick device, comprising: 
       a joystick assembly pivotally supported by a base;  
       a first spring assembly for urging said joystick assembly toward an upright neutral position;  
       a tilt direction detector for producing a tilt direction signal corresponding to a tilt direction of said joystick assembly;  
       wherein:  
       said joystick assembly comprises a first shaft having a main longitudinal axis, said first shaft being pivotally supported by said base and urged by said first spring assembly into said upright neutral position, a second shaft slidably guided relative to said first shaft so as to be slidable along said main longitudinal axis of said first shaft, a second spring assembly for axially urging said second shaft toward an axially neutral position, and a slide direction detector for producing a slide direction signal corresponding to an axial movement of said second shaft.  
     
     
       2. A tiltable joystick pointing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said second shaft is provided with an upper end extending out of an upper end of said first shaft, and fitted with a knob. 
     
     
       3. A tiltable joystick pointing device according to  claim 2 , wherein said first shaft comprises a hollow tubular member, and said second shaft is slidably received inside said first shaft. 
     
     
       4. A tiltable joystick pointing device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a tubular shaft cover coaxially attached to said second shaft to cover at least an upper end of said first shaft. 
     
     
       5. A tiltable joystick pointing device according to  claim 3 , wherein said slide direction detector comprises a switch holder attached to a lower end of said first shaft, a switch element mounted on said switch holder, and a shaft end member attached to a lower end of said second shaft, said shaft end member being provided with an actuating projection with engages an actuating part of said switch element in response to an axial movement of said second shaft relative to said first shaft. 
     
     
       6. A tiltable joystick pointing device according to  claim 5 , wherein said shaft end member further comprises a stopper arm extending therefrom which is engaged by a vertical guide slot defined in said switch holder for maintaining said second shaft rotationally fast with respect to said first shaft around an axial line thereof. 
     
     
       7. A tiltable joystick pointing device according to  claim 5 , wherein said slide direction detector further comprises an upper spring member compressed between said switch holder and an upper end of said shaft end member so as to urge said second shaft downward with respect to the first shaft, and a lower spring member compressed between a lower end surface of said shaft member and a spring retaining member extending integrally from said switch holder so as to urge said second shaft upward with respect to said first shaft, said second shaft being balanced at a axially neutral position under spring forces of said upper and lower springs. 
     
     
       8. A tiltable joystick pointing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said slide direction detector is adapted to produce a slide direction signal when an axial movement of said second shaft relative to said first shaft exceeds a prescribed stroke in either axial slide direction. 
     
     
       9. A tiltable joystick pointing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said tilt direction detector comprises a plurality of switch elements mounted on a switch mounting plate which is interposed between a lower end of said base and a tilt guide plate. 
     
     
       10. A tiltable joystick pointing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said tilt direction detector comprises a plurality of switch elements mounted on a tilt guide plate attached to a lower end of said base, and an annular circuit board surrounding said tilt guide plate and having holes for receiving terminal pins extending from said switch elements. 
     
     
       11. A tiltable joystick pointing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the slide direction detector produces a slide direction signal corresponding to an axial movement of said second shaft in a pushing direction. 
     
     
       12. A tiltable joystick pointing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the slide direction detector produces a slide direction signal corresponding to an axial movement of said second shaft in a pulling direction.